With only two days left in 2007, the year is largely complete but its impact on our community will be felt for decades to come.

This year has been filled with news, good, bad and, sometimes, ugly.

The year had news that made us shake our heads in disbelief and heart-wrenching headlines that conjured up tears of sympathy and sorrow at the loss of life.

In addition, good news abounded across the area, too.

The year saw a great influx of construction and development across the Miss-Lou.

A new private prison facility is going up quickly in rural eastern Adams County.

Five new hotels have either been constructed, under construction or in the planning stages.

Two new casino developments are under way in Natchez — the Grand Soleil development just south of the bridge and the Lane Company’s project at Roth Hill.

On the retail front, lots of new development is building, too. From the Office Depot at the Natchez Mall to the new Stine lumber building on U.S. 61 South, retail development is rolling along well. And even in places where new buildings haven’t been constructed yet, new businesses are moving into old buildings.

New housing developments have also been announced, proving that investors think bigger things are on the horizon with projects such as Rentech’s coal to liquid fuel plan still cooking.

Yes, 2007 has been a good year for the Miss-Lou. We’ve been blessed and if 2008 is anything like 2007, great things are ahead.